Aayushi Randhawa

Wound healing is a complex process that can be severely impaired in chronic or infected wounds. To overcome these challenges, we developed a bioinspired, d

3D printing and electrospinning are versatile techniques employed to produce 3D structures, such as scaffolds and ultrathin fibers, facilitating the creation of a cellular microenvironment in vitro. These two approaches operate on distinct working principles and utilize different polymeric materials to generate the desired structure. This review provides an extensive overview of these techniques and their potential roles in biomedical applications. Despite their potential role in fabricating complex structures, each technique has its own limitations. Electrospun fibers may have ambiguous geometry, while 3D‐printed constructs may exhibit poor resolution with limited mechanical complexity. Consequently, the integration of electrospinning and 3D‐printing methods may be explored to maximize the benefits and overcome the individual limitations of these techniques. This review highlights recent advancements in combined techniques for generating structures with controlled porosities on the micro–nano scale, leading to improved mechanical structural integrity. Collectively, these techniques also allow the fabrication of nature‐inspired structures, contributing to a paradigm shift in research and technology. Finally, the review concludes by examining the advantages, disadvantages, and future outlooks of existing technologies in addressing challenges and exploring potential opportunities.

Electroactive polymer–metal composites (EAPMCs) have gained significant attention in tissue engineering owing to their exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. EAPMCs develop by combining an electroactive polymer matrix and a conductive metal. The design considerations include choosing an appropriate metal that provides mechanical strength and electrical conductivity and selecting an electroactive polymer that displays biocompatibility and electrical responsiveness. Interface engineering and surface modification techniques are also crucial for enhancing the adhesion and biocompatibility of composites. The potential of EAPMC-based tissue engineering revolves around its ability to promote cellular responses, such as cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, through electrical stimulation. The electrical properties of these composites can be used to mimic natural electrical signals within tissues and organs, thereby aiding tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the mechanical characteristics of the metallic components provide structural reinforcement and can be modified to align with the distinct demands of various tissues. EAPMCs have extraordinary potential as regenerative biomaterials owing to their ability to promote beneficial effects in numerous electrically responsive cells. This study emphasizes the characteristics and applications of EAPMCs in tissue engineering.

One of the significant challenges in bone tissue engineering (BTE) is the healing of traumatic tissue defects owing to the recruitment of local infection and delayed angiogenesis. Herein, a 3D printable multi‐functional hydrogel composing polyphenolic carbon quantum dots (CQDs, 100 µg mL⁻¹) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA, 12 wt%) is reported for robust angiogenesis, bone regeneration and anti‐tumor therapy. The CQDs are synthesized from a plant‐inspired bioactive molecule, 1, 3, 5‐trihydroxybenzene. The 3D printed GelMA‐CQDs hydrogels display typical shear‐thinning behavior with excellent printability. The fabricated hydrogel displayed M2 polarization of macrophage (Raw 264.7) cells via enhancing anti‐inflammatory genes (e.g., IL‐4 and IL10), and induced angiogenesis and osteogenesis of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The bioprinted hBMSCs are able to produce vessel‐like structures after 14 d of incubation. Furthermore, the 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds also show remarkable near infra‐red (NIR) responsive properties under 808 nm NIR light (1.0 W cm⁻²) irradiation with controlled release of antitumor drugs (≈49%) at pH 6.5, and thereby killing the osteosarcoma cells. Therefore, it is anticipated that the tissue regeneration and healing ability with therapeutic potential of the GelMA‐CQDs scaffolds may provide a promising alternative for traumatic tissue regeneration via augmenting angiogenesis and accelerated immunomodulation.

Cellulose is the most venerable and essential natural polymer on the planet and is drawing greater attention in the form of nanocellulose, considered an innovative and influential material in the biomedical field. Because of its exceptional physicochemical characteristics, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and high mechanical strength, nanocellulose attracts considerable scientific attention. Plants, algae, and microorganisms are some of the familiar sources of nanocellulose and are usually grouped as cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), cellulose nanofibril (CNF), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). The current review briefly highlights nanocellulose classification and its attractive properties. Further functionalization or chemical modifications enhance the effectiveness and biodegradability of nanocellulose. Nanocellulose-based composites, printing methods, and their potential applications in the biomedical field have also been introduced herein. Finally, the study is summarized with future prospects and challenges associated with the nanocellulose-based materials to promote studies resolving the current issues related to nanocellulose for tissue engineering applications.

Biocompatible nanomaterials have attracted enormous interest for biomedical applications. Carbonaceous materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been widely explored in wound healing and other applications because of their superior physicochemical and potential biomedical properties to the nanoscale level. CNTs-based hydrogels are widely used for wound-healing and antibacterial applications. CNTs-based materials exhibited improved antimicrobial, antibacterial, adhesive, antioxidants, and mechanical properties, which are beneficial for the wound-healing process. This review concisely discussed the preparation of CNTs-based hydrogels and their antibacterial and wound-healing applications. The conductive potential of CNTs and their derivatives is discussed. It has been observed that the conductivity of CNTs is profoundly affected by their structure, temperature, and functionalization. CNTs properties can be easily modified by surface functionalization. CNTs-based composite hydrogels demonstrated superior antibacterial potential to corresponding pure polymer hydrogels. The accelerated wound healing was observed with CNTs-based hydrogels.